---At last! The long awaited update. Sorry all for the wait, you know how it is when you lose all motivation to do something.

Well when I got around to start writing this again I was going to end it with this chapter and not how I was going to end it to begin with. However, that seemed unfair, considering you had to go three months with out anything and then just to end it. I am not that mean.

Well, I'd like to thank ToothyOne cause she was one of the major inspirations behind the whole 'lets start writing this again' thing. Thanks, because of you this story will not die!

Disclaimer: I own the Zion, the killer plot bunny who has been caged so he will not get away again before this is finish.

Warnings: Nothing---

Chapter Ten
Don't Stay

"I'm sorry Ryou, but you'd never believe me."

It seemed so long since those words were spoken. They echoed now through Bakura's head. He wondered what difference it would have made if he had actually said them to Ryou. He wondered if none of this would have happened.

He stumbled through the thick snow. His legs were numb, and the rest of him felt that they would be the some soon. Bakura stopped in his tracks and looked up toward the sky. A small flurry was falling around him. The flakes reminded him of his hikaris soft hair.

Bakura frowned as he thought of Ryou. All the pain he had caused. At first, it was because he despised his counterpart and thought nothing of him other then a pawn. Yet over time that changed. A small part of him started to care for the boy. Now, that his hikari was gone, he felt like he had failed him somehow.

Bakura sighed and continued on, a single tear falling from his eyes.

Ryou lay on his side facing away from the door staring at the wall in front of him. He heard the door open but paid no attention to it. He already knew who it was.

Atemu had come in occasionally to try to talk to him. Ryou found that if he ignored him long enough Atemu would leave without any of his questions answered.

"Ryou?"

He did not stir. Atemu tried again but when there was still no answer, he sighed. The door closed and Ryou rolled over onto his back, staring up at the ceiling.

"I know you're awake."

Ryou looked over at the former pharaoh, but did not say anything. Atemu had a bowl of soup in his hands and stern look on his face.

"You need to eat."

"I'm not hungry," Ryou said quietly.

Atemu crossed the room and set the bowl down on the small table by the bed. He knelt down beside Ryou, placing a gentle hand on his arm. His skin was still frigid.

"I know you're not ready to talk yet. Nevertheless I am here for you whenever you are ready," Atemu said staring into Ryou's glossy eyes, "But, please, you need to eat something."

"I'm not hungry," Ryou repeated.

Atemu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This was very frustrating, but he did not want to show it.

"I just want to be alone," Ryou was shaking. Tears fell from his eyes.

"Ryou," Atemu tried to calm him, "I'm just worried about you."

Ryou let out a small sob and turned away from him.

"Don't stay…" he said barely above a whisper.

"What?" Atemu wanted to make sure he heard the other correctly.

"Don't stay…"

Ryou had his eyes shut tightly to stop the tears. He heard Atemu sigh again and his soft foot steps as he headed to the door and left the room.

Ryou rolled over once again, gazing at the bowl of soup. Steam rose gracefully from the bowl. Ryou sat up slowly, reaching for it. The warm bowl felt like it was burning against his frozen skin. As he stared down at the soup, just the thought of eating churned his stomach unpleasantly. He sighed, picking up the spoon and forcing him self to eat anyway.

---LIVE!---